We hope these opportunities for professional growth and creative development will be helpful to our SIBlings. Please check back regularly to see new offerings and deadlines. If you would like to submit something scroll to the bottom of the page!
Upcoming Craft School Deadlines
Varies
Various
A collection of craft schools that have different opportunities for scholarships, residencies, trainings, etc.
Smithy and Foundry Apprenticeships
February 1st, 2023
Memphis, Tennessee, USA
The Metal Museum offers short-term internships and two-year residency opportunities to blacksmiths, foundry artists, and repair specialists. These positions offer artists invaluable experiential learning that is meant to expand their professional and practical skills. Responsibilities include the production of commissioned works, assistance with educational programming, participation in national conferences, on-site demonstrations, daily interaction with museum visitors, and shop maintenance.
Revolution: Visions of Women, Life, Freedom
February 21st, 2023
Online
The current, women-led revolution in Iran is a reminder of how important it is to fight for freedom. Rev♀luti♀n: Visions of women life freedom is a virtual exhibition of adornment as a powerful political and educational tool, amplifying the voices of those fighting for a free and peaceful life against the Islamic Regime occupying Iran.
Hosted publicly on the SNAG website, this call for images of wearable art is open to everyone everywhere in the world, and all materials are welcome.
Anonymous submissions allowed (we will protect the privacy of our artists from Iran for their safety).
There is no submission fee.
Multiple entries are allowed.
Penland Summer Internship
February 1st, 2023
Penland, North Carolina, USA
A Penland internship offers a unique opportunity to live and work in a dynamic, creative educational community and work with accomplished professionals in a mutual learning and knowledge-sharing environment. The studio interns provide day-to-day support for Penland staff, workshops, and studios and, in doing so, will gain a unique experience in their discipline. For the 2023 summer season, we will be offering up to 3 internships and seeking applicants in glass/clay (1), 2D media (1), and 3D media (1). 2D areas include paper, books, photography, print, and letterpress. 3D media includes metals, iron, wood, and textiles.
Black Metalsmiths Database
Always open
Online
This database is being organized and hosted by Funlola Coker, an accomplished metalsmith herself. Her invitation is as follows. "Are you a black metalsmith or jeweler? Do you know one? I would like to build a database, aka page, on my website (with links to relevant pages) where folks can find us easily. If you're interested, please send your info to info@funlolacoker.com, and maybe spread the word?"
Forge Festival 2022 by Adam's Forge
Done
Heritage Square Museum, Los Angeles California
Fire and anvil, hammer and tong! Come see the excitement of blacksmithing and team striking. Observe copper being formed into sculptures. Watch as craftspeople demonstrate their skills in wood, leather, jewelry and glass. Add your own touch to a mosaic piece with guidance from an expert. See the “armorer to the stars” Tony Swatton and the wares he makes for film and TV. Kids can try their hands at clay forging. For an extra fee, you can give tomahawk throwing a try. Forged pieces and other craftwork will be available for sale. There will be live music from a ukulele band. Food trucks will be onsite.
This is a great opportunity to share your love of blacksmithing and other handcrafts with your friends and family!
Raw Tools
Always open
Nationwide, USA
RAW tools is a multifaceted organization centered around nonviolence. They operate firearm donation and disabling, nonviolence training, and partner with blacksmiths to turn donated guns into gardening tools which they sell to support their mission. SIBs is partnering with RAW tools to offer several opportunities to participate in this effort.
-Help host a gun to garden tool demonstration event.
-Make tools from gun barrels RAW tools will send you.
-RAW tools can also train folks how to disable firearms.
-Donate a gun to be disabled and forged into garden tools.
To express your interest in any of these options please visit the website and contact RAW tools at info@rawtools.org.
Rent a blacksmith shop
Currently open
Seattle Washington, USA
Greetings blacksmiths! Are you a blacksmith and or fabricator who is looking for a studio in the Seattle area? Good! Because I am looking for someone kind and trustworthy to sublease my studio! It is well outfitted with tooling including power hammer, gas forge, welders, bandsaws, drill press, #4 fly press and more. The location is in Georgetown, south of Downtown and in the thriving artist community of Equinox Studios.
The space is about 750 sq ft and very well equipped. The building is a shared space with a secure front door and separate lock on my studio door. There are about 40 other artists in the building and over 100 in the entire community of the multiple buildings. You would be sharing the space with one other person who spends time in the studio sparingly.
Please private message me or email me at firelightforge@gmail.com with questions about price or anything else. I will not be posting the price publicly, but it will be very affordable.
Blacksmiths and Asbestos
Always Available
Anywhere
Blacksmiths are at risk of developing mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused from asbestos exposure that can take 20-50 years to develop. Due to its heat-resistant properties, asbestos was used extensively in blacksmith gear as well as the tiles in the floor/ceiling around the forge and work area.
Our website features extensive information on asbestos and we work 1-on-1 with individuals to help them find local doctors, treatment centers and support groups all at no cost.
Student Shop Managers Consortium (SSMC)
Always Open
International
SSMC is a community of practice for academic shop professionals and associates and this is the venue for collegial, professional discussion of providing and managing resources for making in higher education.
Membership is open to managers and staff of student fabrication facilities and affiliates in educational institutions worldwide. Manufacturers and vendors of equipment, materials and software of interest to SSMC members are welcome to participate and inform, but this is not a venue for sales and solicitations are not welcome. Go to the link, scroll down, and hit the blue "Join this group" button to join.
Kentucky Crafts Encyclopedia
Always Open
Kentucky, USA
The Kentucky Crafts Encyclopedia is a portal to information about Kentucky craft practices, craft history, craft institutions, craftsmakers, and places that exhibit or sell craft products. Besides providing a basic overview of the topic, the site links visitors to other websites or places that supply more extensive information. This site is under constant development by folklorist Thomas A. Adler, Ph.D., of Lexington, Kentucky.
Website
Always available
Everywhere
A glossary of information collected by a group of blacksmiths.
Discord Server
Always open
Everywhere
Open to anyone who wants to participate! This is a friendly and supportive online community where you can share information, ask questions, make friends, show off your work, or whatever!